Podcast
Business Without BS
Hosted by Oury Clark · EN
Your weekly dose of real-world business intelligence.
No gurus, no fluff - just practical lessons from people who’ve built, scaled, failed, adapted, celebrated, and done it all again.
We don’t admire success from afar - we dissect it, decode it, and deliver the lessons straight to you.
Subscribe for weekly insights and free resources that strip away the jargon and deliver the real-world lessons you wish you'd got at business school.
21episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Why AI-first firms will outrun UK many SMEs with Ben Thompson, Employment Hero founder
3w ago01:15:13Tap to summarizeEP 430 — Investors are betting AI-native businesses will outrun traditional operators by stripping out human overhead.Ben Thompson argues that the real divide in business is now AI-native versus everyone else. Legacy companies are still structured with humans at the centre, while fast moving AI-native firms start with agents and add people only where judgement is required.This episode breaks down how AI-first businesses are built, why investors are pricing SaaS firms like they will not keep up, and what SMEs should actually do as AI shifts employment, recruitment and productivity. It also digs into UK and Australian policy choices that shape hiring.What You'll Learn in This Episode:• Build an AI stack that puts agents at the centre of operations• Rethink recruitment workflows using AI screening and interviewing• Spot where employment regulation increases risk for SMEs• Prepare for labour market disruption without panicking about automation• Understand how tax policy influences where founders build companiesThis episode is for founders and operators who want a grounded, practical view of how AI is reshaping work and where SMEs can still win.*For Apple Podcast chapters, access them from the menu in the bottom right corner of your player*Spotify Video Chapters:0:00 AI native businesses02:00 Early work, first jobs05:00 Building Employment Hero10:00 Employment complexity and trust15:00 Unions, awards and compliance22:00 AI replacing labour27:00 Building an AI stack33:00 Recruitment, screening and agents40:00 Remote work and scaling globally48:00 Tax, capital gains and policy55:00 Culture, work and incentives1:02:00 Business or BSWatch and subscribe to us on YouTubeFollow us:InstagramTikTokLinkedInTwitterFacebookIf you'd like to be on the show, get in contact - contact@withoutbs.com
Transcribe →Why most UK marketing fails without data, with Simon Leadbetter, former Knight Frank CMO
4w ago01:21:17Tap to summarize<p>EP 428 — Simon Leadbetter argues that most UK businesses are running on guesswork instead of evidence.</p><p>Marketing, he says, only works when you start by admitting the customer doesn’t care about you. In this fast, sharp conversation, Simon breaks down why instinct-led decisions misfire and why most firms operate without even basic knowledge of their audience.</p><p>Andy and Simon cover data, attribution, surveys, brand dilution, influencers, and why most online stats are bots talking to bots. It’s a full tour of how to actually understand a market before spending money on it.</p><p>What You'll Learn in This Episode:</p><p>• Use research instead of hunches to choose channels</p><p>• Avoid cognitive bias when deciding who your customer is</p><p>• Apply the five‑stage ISTAR marketing process</p><p>• Test ideas cheaply with real UK sampling</p><p>• Improve your Net Promoter Score and act on detractors</p><p>Perfect for UK business owners who want marketing that works because it’s grounded in evidence, not noise.</p><p>*For Apple Podcast chapters, access them from the menu in the bottom right corner of your player*</p><p>Spotify Video Chapters:</p><p>0:00 Customers don’t care about you</p><p>02:00 Data vs instinct</p><p>05:00 What marketing actually is</p><p>09:00 Surveys, sampling and bias</p><p>13:00 Property, portals and real behaviour</p><p>17:00 The five‑stage ISTAR model</p><p>22:00 Channels, talent and capability</p><p>27:00 Bots, ad fraud and bad data</p><p>32:00 PR, email, social and direct mail</p><p>37:00 Brand complexity and consolidation</p><p>43:00 Mental availability and sales activation</p><p>49:00 Creativity, crazies and guerrilla ideas</p><p>55:00 Influencers, niches and trust</p><p>1:02:00 The one thing to do this week</p><p>Watch and subscribe to us on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@bwblondon" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">YouTube</a></p><p>Follow us:</p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/bwblondon/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a></p><p><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@bwblondon" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">TikTok</a></p><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/bwblondon/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></p><p><a href="https://twitter.com/bwb_london" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Twitter</a></p><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/bwblondon" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Facebook</a></p><p>If you'd like to be on the show, get in contact - <a href="mailto:contact@withoutbs.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">contact@withoutbs.com</a></p>
Transcribe →The real cost of scaling a food & drink business with Kit Newell, Great Taste award winner
4w ago00:58:31Tap to summarizeEP 429 — Two brothers turn British honey into a fast‑growing drinks brand while fighting cheap imports and scaling on a shoestring.Hive Mind Mead Co went from brewing in a garage to landing listings with Selfridges, Co‑op and top restaurants — all while protecting UK beekeeping and battling a drinks industry full of shortcuts. Kit explains the real cost pressures, the rebrand fight, and the constant juggle of production, stock and authenticity.They dig into the practical decisions behind scaling a physical product: pricing under duty pressure, navigating retailers, managing 180 hives, and avoiding the traps that sink early‑stage drinks businesses. No fluff — just the reality of turning a hobby into a viable UK brand.What You'll Learn in This Episode:• Price a craft product when duty dwarfs ingredients• Decide when to rebrand and how to manage the pain• Spot BS in food and drink manufacturing• Use small batches as a smart marketing tool• Scale a physical product without wrecking marginsPerfect for UK founders building a physical product or anyone curious about growing an authentic drinks brand without losing your soul.*For Apple Podcast chapters, access them from the menu in the bottom right corner of your player*Spotify Video Chapters:0:00 Starting with too many products02:30 From geologist and designer to mead makers06:30 What mead actually is11:00 Turning a hobby into a business14:00 The rebrand fight: Y Valley Meadery to Hive Mind18:00 Retailers, awards and credibility23:00 Honey sourcing, supply and UK provenance27:00 Bee health, climate and the rural economy32:00 Alcohol duty and margins34:30 Launching honey‑based soft drinks38:00 Industry shortcuts and authenticity43:00 Courses, community and brand building46:00 Business or BS55:00 Scaling a physical product57:30 Where to find Hive Mind MeadWatch and subscribe to us on YouTubeFollow us:InstagramTikTokLinkedInTwitterFacebookIf you'd like to be on the show, get in contact - contact@withoutbs.com
Transcribe →The hidden cost of going US GAAP with Katrina Nacci, cross‑border accounting specialist
Jun 2900:49:15Tap to summarizeEP 427 — Preparing UK founders for the shock of needing US GAAP fast when American investors arrive.Most founders only discover the real cost of US GAAP when an investor demands it. Katrina Nacci explains why the pain isn’t the accounting rules, but the sudden need for better systems, documentation and proper consolidation.This episode breaks down the operational gaps that derail UK and European scale‑ups: revenue treatment, data hygiene, legacy systems, multi-entity chaos and how to avoid a six‑month panic. Practical decisions, not theory.What You'll Learn in This Episode:• Map when US GAAP is actually triggered• Fix weak processes before an investor audit• Build documentation US auditors expect• Handle multi‑entity, multi‑standard consolidation• Decide when IFRS vs US GAAP matters commerciallyFor founders eyeing US money or expansion, this episode helps you avoid an avoidable mess.*For Apple Podcast chapters, access them from the menu in the bottom right corner of your player*Spotify Video Chapters:0:00 The hidden problem behind “we need US GAAP”1:00 When US GAAP is actually triggered4:00 Why statutory audits don’t prepare you8:00 Revenue recognition and documentation gaps12:00 What US auditors expect16:00 How conversions really work inside a group20:00 Systems, ERPs and multi‑GAAP reality24:00 Cost, timelines and team size28:00 IFRS vs US GAAP in practice33:00 Cultural realities of US expansion38:00 Preparing early and avoiding traps45:00 War stories and common pitfallsWatch and subscribe to us on YouTubeFollow us:InstagramTikTokLinkedInTwitterFacebookIf you'd like to be on the show, get in contact - contact@withoutbs.com
Transcribe →Why Teams Fall Apart and How to Fix Them with Kevin Gaskell, Turnaround CEO
Jun 2401:02:48Tap to summarizeEP [number] — Kevin Gaskell argues that clarity, accountability and attitude drive real organisational performance — not slogans or bureaucracy.Kevin Gaskell explains why most struggling companies aren’t failing on product or market, but on leadership clarity. He argues that teams follow certainty, not noise — and that avoiding the ‘difficult bits’ is what actually sinks performance.He breaks down how small teams outperform bigger rivals, why culture beats clever strategy decks, and the practical routines leaders can use to remove noise, raise standards and get their team moving in the same direction.What You'll Learn in This Episode:• Build leadership clarity that teams actually follow• Diagnose dissonance in a senior team• Create accountability without fear• Remove noise from daily operations• Make difficult decisions fasterThis episode is for UK founders and leaders who want to run a sharper, calmer, better‑aligned organisation.*For Apple Podcast chapters, access them from the menu in the bottom right corner of your player*Spotify Video Chapters:0:00 Opening: why leaders fail1:06 Extreme rowing and mental endurance8:29 Resetting the mind through extreme challenges10:02 Entrepreneurial intensity and burnout avoidance10:42 Why companies really fail14:32 Brand experience and operational clarity15:40 Leadership dissonance and team alignment18:02 Fixing culture through shared experience20:22 Building visible plans and priorities22:03 Respect, accountability and people management26:20 Creating inspiration, not motivation theatre30:59 Turning around a failing manufacturing business38:34 Hard work, standards and UK working culture44:19 What leaders should do this week55:54 Business or Bullshit gameWatch and subscribe to us on YouTubeFollow us:InstagramTikTokLinkedInTwitterFacebookIf you'd like to be on the show, get in contact - contact@withoutbs.com
Transcribe →Why Most Accountants Stay Stuck Until They Ditch Clients with Richard Francis, Spotlight Reporting Founder
Jun 1701:20:03Tap to summarizeEP 427 — Richard Francis argues that accountants who embrace advisory and human connection will outlast any AI wave. Richard Francis lays out why advisory-led accounting beats compliance-heavy firms and why AI won't replace human judgement. He explains how accountants can create more value by asking better questions, choosing the right clients, and focusing on the future rather than the past. He breaks down advisory models, client selection, forecasting, global scaling, and how to build tools that support better decisions without drowning in spreadsheets. The discussion includes AI’s real role in accounting and why trust and context remain the moat. What You'll Learn in This Episode: • Build an advisory-led accounting model that clients stay for • Decide which clients to drop to free capacity • Use forecasting to steer SMEs toward better decisions • Blend AI tools with human judgement safely • Structure a global business without losing your sanity For UK business owners and accountants who want practical thinking on advisory, client strategy and staying competitive in an AI-heavy world. *For Apple Podcast chapters, access them from the menu in the bottom right corner of your player* Spotify Video Chapters: 0:00 AI vs human advisors 3:40 Richard’s early accounting career 9:40 Moving from compliance to advisory 15:20 Asking better questions 20:10 Building Spotlight Reporting 28:00 Advisory, tools and AI 35:00 The future of accountants 43:40 Client selection and the Dirty Dozen 50:20 Succession, exits and scale 57:00 Global teams and travel reality 1:04:00 Why advisory will survive AI 1:11:00 Quickfire: Business or BS? Watch and subscribe to us on YouTube Follow us: Instagram TikTok LinkedIn Twitter Facebook If you'd like to be on the show, get in contact - mail@businesswithoutbullshit.me
Transcribe →Why Most Networking Fails with Daniel Levan-Harris, Mango Logistics Founder
Jun 1001:12:36Tap to summarizeEP — Daniel shows how to turn networking from a chore into a strategic advantage.Daniel Levan-Harris argues that most UK founders fail at networking because they treat people as targets not humans. His approach is simpler: genuine curiosity, zero selling, and building relationships that compound for decades.This episode covers practical ways to navigate a room, how to follow up properly, why CEOs must nurture broad networks, how neurodiversity shapes entrepreneurial thinking, and how Daniel built two very different businesses by spotting overlooked opportunities.What You'll Learn in This Episode:• Build a network without chasing contacts• Approach groups confidently and avoid awkward openings• Follow up in ways that create long-term relationships• Use neurodiverse thinking to spot commercial openings• Apply delegation properly as a dyslexic founderThis episode is for UK founders who want a practical, human way to expand their network without the usual nonsense.*For Apple Podcast chapters, access them from the menu in the bottom right corner of your player*Spotify Video Chapters:0:00 Opening: Daniel’s networking philosophy03:30 Early career and confidence07:40 Networking without the pressure12:20 Following up and building trust15:50 Neurodiversity and memory21:10 Dyslexia as a business strength26:20 Seeing opportunities differently32:00 Why crickets? Entering edible protein38:20 Farming, sustainability and food culture45:40 Scaling Edible and environmental logic50:00 Logistics, acquisitions and reality of tech56:30 Electric fleets, greenwash and trade-offs1:02:00 Quickfire: Business or BS?Watch and subscribe to us on YouTubeFollow us:InstagramTikTokLinkedInTwitterFacebookIf you'd like to be on the show, get in contact - mail@businesswithoutbullshit.me
Transcribe →How UK Founders Get US Expansion Wrong with Sonia Kanjee, US Tax Expert
Jun 301:24:09Tap to summarizeEP [number] — Expanding to the US without tripping state taxes or visa traps.US expansion sounds exciting until you realise how easily it can go wrong. Sonia Kanjee breaks down why most founders misjudge when they're actually ready for America and how small missteps around people, sales tax and structure can snowball fast.She walks through the three tiers of US entry, how state rules really work, when you must form a Delaware Inc, and the hidden compliance triggers founders routinely miss. This is a practical map for approaching the US market without burning money or credibility.What You'll Learn in This Episode:• Decide when you're genuinely ready to open in the US• Avoid economic nexus sales‑tax traps state by state• Understand when one US hire obliges you to set up an entity• Structure a clean UK–US group without future investor problems• Track where your US revenue lands so you don't trigger avoidable filingsThis episode is for UK founders eyeing the US market who want a grounded, practical view of what expansion actually demands.*For Apple Podcast chapters, access them from the menu in the bottom right corner of your player*Spotify Video Chapters:0:00 Expanding to the US without blowing up your tax position02:00 Sonia’s route into US tax and cross‑border work05:10 When you’re genuinely ready to enter the US08:20 Remote sales vs creating a taxable presence12:10 Sales tax, economic nexus and SaaS treatment16:20 Hiring across multiple states and compliance load19:20 Contractors, dependent agents and testing the market24:00 Visa realities when travelling repeatedly for business29:40 The three tiers of US expansion strategy33:20 Delaware Inc, lawyers and why setup matters37:50 Trademarks, contracts and insurance for the US43:10 LLCs vs C Corps and why UK companies should avoid LLCs49:00 State tax allocation and how to track revenue properly56:00 Treaty mechanics, withholding and W‑8BEN‑E1:05:00 Interest on intercompany loans1:12:00 Dormant entities and cleanup filings1:17:00 Should founders relocate or hire locally?Watch and subscribe to us on YouTubeFollow us:InstagramTikTokLinkedInTwitterFacebookIf you'd like to be on the show, get in contact - mail@businesswithoutbullshit.me
Transcribe →An Entrepreneur's Guide to Financial Reports - William Humphreys, partner at Oury Clark
Jun 101:16:42Tap to summarizeEP - William Humphreys, partner at Oury Clark Chartered Accountants, explores and explains financial reporting, giving a clear picture of what company accounts are, and why understanding them is a foundational skill for entrepreneurs.Andy and William run through the various components of statutory accounts, including the balance sheet, profit and loss statement, and cash flow statement. Using a cinematic metaphor, they underscore the necessity of not merely viewing accounts as compliance documents but as vital tools for strategic decision-making.Throughout the conversation, the importance of engaging with these financial documents regularly is underlined, to help cultivate a clearer understanding of a business's financial health and undertake proactive rather than reactive management. Being conversant in company financials is not just a matter of accounting but a fundamental aspect of effective business leadership.What you'll learn in this episode:Understanding how accounts inform business decisionsSeeing the balance sheet as a snapshot of a company's assets and liabilitiesHow continuous insight into a business's financial position beats waiting for year-endThe importance and considerations of cash flow managementHow revenue recognition can impact perceived profitabilityWhat the notes to the accounts really provideThis episode is for UK entrepreneurs and business leaders who want a comprehensive overview of financial reports and reporting standards.*For Apple Podcast chapters, access them from the menu in the bottom right corner of your player*Spotify Video Chapters:00:04 - The Director's Report: A Glimpse Behind the Scenes04:46 - Understanding the Balance Sheet13:14 - Financial Statements, the Balance Sheet and Profit & Loss18:47 - Revenue Recognition23:34 - Cash Flow and Financial Management32:44 - Financial Statements: Key Insights and Analysis37:45 - The Key Questions for Founders41:03 - Bank Covenants and Charges49:41 - Reporting Standards53:34 - Understanding UK GAAP and IFRS59:44 - IFRS 16 and its Implications01:09:30 - Transitioning to US GAAP: Challenges and Insights01:14:31 - Key Insights for Business OwnersWatch and subscribe to us on YouTubeFollow us:InstagramTikTokLinkedInTwitterFacebookIf you'd like to be on the show, get in contact - mail@businesswithoutbullshit.me
Transcribe →How to Cure a Sick High Street with Bill Grimsey, ex‑Wickes CEO
May 2701:20:54Tap to summarizeEP [number] — Grimsey argues that corporate strategy starts with fixing leadership, not spreadsheets.Bill Grimsey unpacks why UK high streets keep failing and why most boardrooms still dodge the real work: leadership, confidence and clarity. Starting with Hong Kong turnarounds and ending with British town centres, he explains why strategy dies when leaders avoid the truth.The conversation covers motivating broken teams, mapping strengths instead of obsessing over threats, dealing with suppliers transparently, and why councils need 20‑year commercial plans to revive towns. It also dives into AI, customer experience, and the future of retail.What You'll Learn in This Episode:• Rebuild confidence inside a failing organisation• Map strategic strengths without wasting energy on distractions• Use transparency to improve supplier relationships• Assess whether your town’s leadership structure is fit for purpose• Apply AI to improve customer experience rather than cut cornersThis episode is for UK operators who want a practical view of strategy from someone who has actually rebuilt failing businesses.*For Apple Podcast chapters, access them from the menu in the bottom right corner of your player*Spotify Video Chapters:0:00 Why the UK high street keeps failing1:29 Fixing leadership before strategy4:39 Park’n’Shop Hong Kong turnaround11:04 Customer experience vs efficiency17:25 AI’s real value in business23:10 Supplier relationships and transparency27:58 Turnaround at Wickes33:50 Trust, confidence and respect40:48 Business rates and tax structures52:17 The Grimsey Reviews and town strategy1:02:20 Independent retail: what works now1:12:09 Tech, delivery and the future of retail1:18:55 Pedestrianisation and town experience1:20:41 Closing thoughtsWatch and subscribe to us on YouTubeFollow us:InstagramTikTokLinkedInTwitterFacebookIf you'd like to be on the show, get in contact - mail@businesswithoutbullshit.me
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